Introduction

Archaeologists have both ethical and legal obligations
to preserve all of the data they collect for the benefit
of future generations. This includes not just the artifacts
from an archaeology project, but also the associated
information and records such as soil samples, field
notes, maps, photographs, and related historical documents.
Archaeologists follow strict guidelines and procedures
for cleaning, labeling, cataloguing, and storing objects.
Visit the Society for Historical Archaeology’s
“Standards
and Guidelines for the Curation of Archaeological Collections”
to learn about these procedures.

Where are Collections Stored?

Each state has a responsibility to store the millions
of artifacts recovered from surface collections or excavations
within its boundaries. Finding space for these collections
is a major challenge. While some collections are stored
in many locations around the state, other states have
created a centralized archaeology storage facility,
such as the Maryland
Archaeological Conservation Laboratory. This laboratory
houses archaeological collections from land and underwater
projects, conducted by state and federal government
agencies in Maryland. It also contains private collections
that have been donated to the state.

Universities and museums also sponsor archaeology
projects and are responsible for preservation and storage.
Archaeologists working at museums or at universities
that have museums may store their collections there.
The
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and
Archaeology in Philadelphia is an example of a museum
with important archaeology collections, which it stores,
displays, and loans to other institutions for exhibitions.
These collections are also studied by scholars from
all over the world. At the Smithsonian Institution’s
Department of Anthropology, located in the National
Museum of Natural History, archaeologists store their
collections at the museum on the National Mall and nearby
storage facility.

Why Are Collections Preserved?

Collections are preserved for both scientific research
and public education. The application of new technologies
and dating techniques to old collections yields valuable
new information that may lead to new theories and understandings
about our human past. For instance neutron activation
analysis now allows one to trace the origin of the raw
materials used in Maya ceramic pots, collected over
a hundred years ago. In addition, both DNA analysis
and atomic mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating
are being applied to plant and animal for the study
of origins of plant and animal domestication.

Archaeological collections are also preserved for use
in museum exhibits so that the public may benefit from
the archaeological research that unearthed them.